FaultScore

BMW I4 vs Mercedes Benz 320

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure BMW I4 Mercedes Benz 320
Complaints on file 135 332
Model years covered 2022–2024 1994–2002
Worst model year 2023 1994
Best model year 2022 2001
Crashes reported 38 17
Fires reported 3 13
Injuries reported 10 22
Deaths reported 0 6
Most complained-about part Electrical System Electrical System
Share of complaints involving harm 37.8% 17.5%

BMW I4 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Electrical System 24 17.8%
Other & Unspecified 21 15.6%
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance 19 14.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain 17 12.6%
Brakes 11 8.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 7 5.2%
Fuel & Propulsion 7 5.2%
Engine & Cooling 6 4.4%

Mercedes Benz 320 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Airbags 25 7.5%
Steering 19 5.7%
Brakes 19 5.7%
Lights 19 5.7%
Transmission & Drivetrain 17 5.1%